Track for overhead carriers



P. IvI. HASSIER AND A. H. NELLER.

TRACK FOR OVERHEAD CARRIERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. 1920.

ATTORNEY VP. NI. HASSLER AND A. H. NELLER.

TRACK FOR DVERHEAD CARRIERS.

APPLxcATIoN man AFn3,192o.

1,345,85 1 Patented July 6, 1920.

2 SHEEYS-SHEEI 2.

FIQB

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PAUL M. HASSLER AND ALBERT H. Nennen,

PATENT QFFICE.

F FAIRFIELD, IGWA, ASSIGNORS T0 THE nonnen MACHINERY COMPANY, or FAIRFIELD, IOWA, A CORPORATION or IOWA.

TRACK FOR OVERHEAD CARRIERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1920.

Application iled April 3, 1920. Serial N O. 370,955.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be i` known that we, PAUL M. HAssLnR and ALBERT H. NnLLnn, citizens ot vthe United States, residing at Fairfield, in the county of Jefferson and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tracks for Overhead Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to that class of overhead tracks on which a carrier comprising a plurality of separate trolleys connected together by an extended horizontally disposed bar, may be switched from one track to another, and it consists of a combination and arrangement ot' parts whereby the carrier may be switched from a single main track to two or more cross tracks disposed at an angle to the main track, by means moving the switches in unison for each set gebot trolleys, whereby the carrier may be moved sidewise on the cross tracks instead ot' endwise, as it runs on the main track. Also, of other features described in this specification and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective, showing a main track with a portion of a carrier having two sets otseparate trolleys connected together by an extended bar mounted thereon, and two cross tracks arranged at an angle to the main track, the construction embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is the same, showing the carrier portion switched on to the cross tracks and arranged to be movedsidewise thereon. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing several portions of carriers hunched on the cross tracks. Fig. 4' is an enlarged detail view which will be hereafter explained.

Referring to the drawings A represents a main track which is connected to 'an overhead support C, which may be the ceiling of a building, by means of a series of hangers, such as D represents a couple of cross tracks in horizontal alinement with the main track and connected to the overhead support hy a series of hangers B. The cross tracks are spaced a certain distance apart and are supported in positions parallel to each other.

IWhere the cross tracks intersect the main track there are open spaces in which switch sections E are mounted by hangers F secured to suitable Overhead supports, such as the plates Gr, and are adapted to be rotated one-quarter way around, so that the switch sections E may be alternately alined with the main track and with the cross tracks. the operation oteach individual switch section, and the switch plate to which it is connected, being similar to that of the switch section and the switch plate shown in Patent No. 1,020,046, granted to Albert H. Neller March l2, 1912.

A pair ot trolleys represented by H adapted to run on the tracks are connected together by a bar I ot the proper length to hold the wheels ot the trolleys theY same distance apart as the central portions oi the switch sections E and cross tracks D. These trolleys and the connecting bars form the basis of a carrier which may be constructed to suit requirements, the extendedly con-- nected trolleys being portions of said carrier. The rotatable switch plates G are each provided with an outstanding lever J which levers are connected together by a shift bar K whereby the movement of the bar will simultaneously move the switch plates, and will cause the switch sections to simultaneously aline with either the main track A or the cross tracks D. A couple of switch cords L and Il are connected to the shift bar and are passed over guide pulleys M so as to extend down within reach Ort an operator.

The trolleys being on the main track, as shown in F ig. l, are run along the track until the wheels are on the central portions ot the switch sections E. To hold the wheels more securely in this position while the switch sections are being turned, Vit is preferable to dish the central portions ot the switch sections to a certain extent, as shown in F ll, which is an enlarged side view of one of the switch sections with its supporting hangers F and the adjoining ends of the main track A and its special end hangers N. lIhe trolley wheels being run on to the dished portion E of the switch'section will stay there until pushed out ot the dish.`

To transfer the trolleys from the main track A to the cross tracks D, pull down on the trip cord L until the switch levers J with the switch plates G, hangers F and switch sections E, assume the `positions shown in Fig. 2. l/Vhen in this position, the trolleys H and connecting bar I, with whatever carrier attachment may be connected thereto, may be run ott sidewise on to the cross tracks in either direction required. In

this way a number of connected trolleys, forming a portion of, or the basis for a carrier, may be transferred Vfrom the main trac-k and bebunched on the cross tracks as V shown in Fig. 3. Y Y

To transfer the connectedtrolleys fromV the cross tracks to the main track, runthe wheels Vof the trolleys on to the switch sec- 1 tions E when said'sections are in the positions shown in Fig. 2.V rlhen pull down on the switch cord L until the various parts of the switch mechanism assume the positions shown in Fig. 1. The connected trolleys may then be run on .to the main portion Y ofthe Vtrack VA.v O represents safety stops which may be used to prevent the trolleys f from running off the open ends of the track,

as known to the art. Y Y

This invention is beneficial when it is desired to bunch a number of vconnected trolleys, with attachments connected thereto, in a compact space instead of stringing them out end to end on asingle line of track, or on ordinary branch tracks'connected therewith. Also in transferringa number of carriers from one floor to another in a buildingby means of two or more tracks mounted in parallel relation in an elevator and adapt-V ed to connect with similar tracksinounted on the different floors of the building. l y

Y The invention is also .useful for other purposes where it is desirable to run carriers withconnected trolleys sidewise on two or more parallel tracks and to bunch them in a limitedcompact space. VVUsually only two Vparallel tracks are employed, but morethan two may be usedby having extra trolleys' attached to the connecting bar I and-ar-V ranging Vthem to run on the extra cross tracks. VF l also shows a stationary Vplate P which is connected to the overhead support, and on which the switch plate or turntable isrotatably mounted, and to which :the hangersN are attached.` Theinvention .is `extremely simple andinexpensive and is thoroughly effective for the purpose intended.' j

What we claim is:

', '1.1 In tracks for overhead carriers, the

combination of `a, main.track,a' plurality of 'cross-tracks spaced apart parallel vto each other and intersecting the main track in ,horizontalalinemenh a plurality of trolleys spacedapart to correspond with the crosstracksandconnected together in this relation by an .extended,horizontally disposed bar torini'ng-tlie basis of an overhead carrier adapted to run endwise upon the vmain track `or sidewise upon the cross-tracks, a switch section at each intersection of .the tracks adaptedto receive and transfer the trolleys from themain tra-ck lto thecross-tracks and vice versa, and means to simultaneously operate the switch-sections fand to thereby effect thetransfer of the trolleys in unison.

-Vtrack or the b .ranch tracks. :Y y n Y. 5g In aldevice-of thecharacter described, Vthecombination of a .main track, a pair 2.1n tracks for overhead carriers, the

Vcombination of a main track, a plurality of cross-tracks spaced apart parallel to each other and intersecting the main track in horizontal alinement, a plurality of trolleys spaced apart to correspond with the crossy tracks and connected together in this *relation byV an extended horizontally:disposed bar .forming the basis of an overhead carrier adapted to run endwise upon the main track or sidewise upon the cross-tracks, a switch section at each intersection of the tracks adapted to receive and transfer the trolleys from the main track to the cross-tracks and vice versa, and ineansto connect the switch- ,sections together, whereby they may be simultaneously operated and the transfer of the trolleys simultaneously effected.

8. 1n a device of the character described, the combination of a main track, a plurality of cross-tracks spaced frapart parallel to eachother and intersecting the main track vin horizontal alinement, a plurality of trolleys spaced apart to correspond with the cross-tracks and connected ,together in this relation by an extended horizontally disposed bar forming the basis of, an overhead carrier adapted to run endwise. upon the main track or sidewise upon the cross-tracks, a switch plate rotatably secured to an over:

'head support at each intersection of the tracks, a switch-section secured by hangers tofeach switch plate and means to connect the switch plates together, whereby they may be simultaneously rotated, and the switchsections simultaneously alined with;v either the main track or the`Y cross tracks yand the trolleys simultaneously transferred frointhe one to the other. .l l n 4,. In a device of the character described, the combination of a maintrack, a plurality `of cross-tracks spaced apart parallel to each other and intersectingthe inain 4track in horizontal alinement, a plurality of trolleys spacedepart to cor-respond with theV cross-V of cross tracks ,spaced apart parallel `to each otherfand Yintersecting the ma-in track in horizontal alinement, an open space at each intersection of the tracks, Va short section of ioo switch track, having its wheel supporting portions centrally dished, rotatably mounted in each open space and adapted to aline with the adjoining ends of the main track or with the adjoining ends of the adjacent cross track, a pair of connected trolleys spaced apart to correspond with the switch sections, and mea-ns to simultaneously rotate the switch sections so they will aline with the main track or with the adjacent cross tracks, whereby the connected trolleys may be transferred from the main track to the cross tracks and vice versa.

(i. In a device of the character described., the combination of a main track, a pair of cross tracks spaced apart parallel to each other and intersecting the main track in horizontal alineinent, an open space at each intersection of the tracks, a rotatable plate inounted above each open space, a short section of switch track carried by the rotatable plate and adapted to aline with the adjoining ends ot the inain track or with the adjoining ends of the adjacent cross tracks, a pair of connected trolleys adapted to run on the tracks and spaced apart to correspond with the switch sections, a projecting lever on each of the rotatable plates, a bar oonnecting the ends of the levers together and means for moving the connecting bar in opposite directions, whereby the plates may be rotated in opposite directions and the switch sections be alternately alined with the main track and the cross tracks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

57.111 tracks for overhead carriers, the combination of a inain track, a plurality of cross-tracks spaced apart parallel to each other and intersecting. the main track in horizontal alineinent, a plurality of sets of trolleys, each set being spaced apart to correspond with the cross-tracks and connected together in this relation by an extended horizontally disposed bar forming the basis oit' an overhead carrier adapted to run endwise upon the main track or sidewise upon the cross-tracks, said connected trolleys being adapted to be bunched on said crosstraeks, a switch section at each intersection ot the tracks adapted to receive and transfer the trolleys from the inain track to the cross-tracks and vice versa, and means to simultaneously operate the switch-sections and eiiect the transfer of the trolleys.

Fairfield, Iowa, March 31st, 1920.

PAUL M. HASSLER. ALBERT H. NELLER. 

